Waratahs in record-breaking mauling of Sunwolves

NSW Waratahs and blockbusting winger Taqele Naiyaravoro rewrote their franchise record book as they clinched the Super Rugby Australian conference title with a 77-25 flogging of the Sunwolves at Allianz Stadium.

Down 18-12, the Tahs piled on 34 straight points in 19 minutes either side of halftime to blow away the Sunwolves, who were down to 13 men late in the game. The Tahs scored 12 tries, their most in a Super Rugby game.

It was also the most points the Tahs have scored in a Super Rugby contest, beating their previous best of 73 against the Kings in 2010.

Naiyaravoro crossed in the 52nd minute to eclipse Israel Folau's 2014 NSW season record of 12 five-pointers. He added another late in the game as Folau and replacement outside back Alex Newsome also bagged try doubles.

Winger Semesi Masirewa was sent off seconds before halftime for a lifting tackle on Tahs' five-eighth and captain Bernard Foley, who hit the ground head first.

Semisi Masirewa leaves the field after receiving a red card against the Waratahs Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

"Obviously a key moment in that game was the red card," Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson said.

"I was very pleased with our team and the way that we responded in that situation and really still earnt our tries and tried to keep shape in the game.

"It gives us a lot of confidence and momentum now that we've earned ourselves an extra week and topped the conference."

The Sunwolves reserve halfback Fumiaki Tanaka missed most of the final 10 minutes after he drove the head of Waratahs' counterpart Jake Gordon into the ground.

Acting Sunwolves head coach Tony Brown feels a yellow card might have been a more appropriate punishment for Masirewa, although Gibson and Foley believe under the laws the offence meant Argentinian referee Federico Anselmi had no option but to issue a red.

"It was tough for us to compete against a pretty good Waratahs team with 14 players and then 13 in the last ten minutes," Brown said.

The Tahs were guilty of some slack defending and sloppiness early, with Gibson disappointed by some loose ball control. But they were devastating when they executed well, especially after the Sunwolves were undermanned.

Taqele Naiyaravoro carries the ball against the Sunwolves Jason McCawley/Getty Images for SUNWOLVES

The forwards dominated and playmakers Foley and Kurtley Beale, along with Folau and Naiyaravoro, ran riot.

The Sunwolves posted first points through a penalty to five-eighth Hayden Parker, but the Tahs hit back straight away with prop Sekope Kepu crossing after smashing through two defenders after Folau caught the restart and lock Jed Holloway made a big run.

The spirited visitors scored the next 10 points with Parker slotting another penalty and converting when winger Akihito Yamada scooped up the ball one handed after Foley unsuccessfully waited for a Parker kick to go into touch.

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